Vikings 20–13 Lions: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 4, 2012

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions), 50.0% completion, -4.0% CPOE, +0.12 EPA per dropback, +7.44 total passing EPA. C. Ponder (Minnesota Vikings), 51.6% completion, -7.1% CPOE, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -3.25 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.44 total EPA on Passing plays. across 60 snaps. Their top snap (+3.47 EPA): (14:48) 71-R.Reiff reported in as eligible. 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete deep middle to 81-C.Johnson (20-C.Cook). PENALTY on MIN-33-J.Sanford, Defensive Pass Interference, 56 yards.

Quick answer

Winner: Minnesota Vikings
Final score: Minnesota Vikings 20–13 Detroit Lions
Halftime: Minnesota Vikings 13–6 Detroit Lions at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Matthew Stafford
Top passer: Matthew Stafford
Biggest EPA play: 4-J.Hanson kicks 70 yards from DET 35 to MIN -5. 12-P.Harvin for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date: 2012-09-30

Game summary

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 20–13 on 2012-09-30. Matthew Stafford posted a game-high +7.44 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 13 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Minnesota Vikings	10	3	7	0	0	20
Detroit Lions	3	3	0	7	0	13

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

MINMinnesota Vikings

DET 35

+1DET 2

+3MIN 22

+3DET 31

+3DET 9

+3MIN 13

MIN 64

+1DET 2

MIN 1

+1MIN 2

DETDetroit Lions

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

10 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 15:00TD
Pressley Harvin
Points+6
Yard line
DET 35
Score
6-0
4-J.Hanson kicks 70 yards from DET 35 to MIN -5. 12-P.Harvin for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 14:48XP
BWB. Walsh
Points+1
Yard line
DET 2
Score
7-0
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
DETDetroit Lions
Q1 13:10FG
Jake Hanson
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 22
Score
7-3
(13:10) 4-J.Hanson 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 1:21FG
BWB. Walsh
Points+3
Yard line
DET 31
Score
10-3
(1:21) 3-B.Walsh 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 8:14FG
BWB. Walsh
Points+3
Yard line
DET 9
Score
13-3
(8:14) 3-B.Walsh 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
DETDetroit Lions
Q2 1:50FG
Jake Hanson
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 13
Score
13-6
(1:50) 4-J.Hanson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 13:30TD
MSM. Sherels
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 64
Score
19-6
(13:30) 5-N.Harris punts 41 yards to MIN 23, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 35-M.Sherels for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 13:09XP
BWB. Walsh
Points+1
Yard line
DET 2
Score
20-6
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
DETDetroit Lions
Q4 2:58TD
Matthew Stafford
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 1
Score
20-12
(2:58) (No Huddle) 9-M.Stafford up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
DETDetroit Lions
Q4 2:56XP
Jake Hanson
Points+1
Yard line
MIN 2
Score
20-13
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Matthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +7.44 total EPA · 60 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
2B. Pettigrew · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.55 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
3N. Burleson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
4A. Peterson · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +3.01 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
5Jaheim Bell · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
6Matthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +1.35 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.35 EPA/play
7John Simpson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +0.84 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
8N. Burleson · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +0.77 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Matthew Stafford — DET · Passing

Matthew Stafford posted the highest total EPA (+7.44) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 60 counted snaps, they averaged +0.12 EPA per play.

Matthew Stafford's top snap (+3.47 EPA): (14:48) 71-R.Reiff reported in as eligible. 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete deep middle to 81-C.Johnson (20-C.Cook). PENALTY on MIN-33-J.Sanford, Defensive Pass Interference, 56 yards, enforced at DET 20 - No Play. Penalty

Biggest single play (+6.74 EPA): Jake Hanson — 4-J.Hanson kicks 70 yards from DET 35 to MIN -5. 12-P.Harvin for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

Matthew Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 60 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -4.0% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +7.44 total EPA
C. Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) · 31 dropbacks · 51.6% completion · -7.1% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -3.25 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Minnesota Vikings	Detroit Lions
Offensive EPA/play	+0.012	-0.108
Offensive success rate	42.9%	37.6%
Pass EPA/play	-0.105	+0.124
Rush EPA/play	+0.057	-0.564
Defensive EPA/play	+0.108	-0.012
Defensive success rate	62.4%	57.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Minnesota Vikings: +0.01 EPA/play (49th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
Detroit Lions: -0.11 EPA/play (23rd percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)

Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -10.01 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +0.89 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Minnesota Vikings — Pressley Harvin (Q1 15:00)
Minnesota Vikings — M. Sherels (Q3 13:30)
Detroit Lions — Matthew Stafford (Q4 2:58)

Field goals

Detroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q1 13:10)
Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh (Q1 1:21)
Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh (Q2 8:14)
Detroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q2 1:50)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 35 (Q1 15:00) — 4-J.Hanson kicks 70 yards from DET 35 to MIN -5. 12-P.Harvin for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 14:48) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 22 (Q1 13:10) — (13:10) 4-J.Hanson 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 31 (Q1 1:21) — (1:21) 3-B.Walsh 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 9 (Q2 8:14) — (8:14) 3-B.Walsh 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 13 (Q2 1:50) — (1:50) 4-J.Hanson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIN 64 (Q3 13:30) — (13:30) 5-N.Harris punts 41 yards to MIN 23, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 35-M.Sherels for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 13:09) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q4 2:58); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 2:56) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Minnesota Vikings (Q1 15:00) — 4-J.Hanson kicks 70 yards from DET 35 to MIN -5. 12-P.Harvin for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.3% · EPA +6.74]
Detroit Lions (Q3 13:30) — (13:30) 5-N.Harris punts 41 yards to MIN 23, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 35-M.Sherels for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -12.4% · EPA -6.53]
Detroit Lions (Q1 14:48) — (14:48) 71-R.Reiff reported in as eligible. 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete deep middle to 81-C.Johnson (20-C.Cook). PENALTY on MIN-33-J.Sanford, Defensive Pass Interference, 56 yards, enforced at DET 20 [WPA +9.5% · EPA +3.47]
Minnesota Vikings (Q1 3:18) — (3:18) 7-C.Ponder pass incomplete deep left to 81-J.Simpson. PENALTY on DET-28-D.Bentley, Defensive Pass Interference, 31 yards, enforced at MIN 32 - No Play. [WPA +8.5% · EPA +2.21]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 10:06) — (10:06) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass incomplete deep left to 81-J.Simpson [55-S.Tulloch]. PENALTY on DET-28-D.Bentley, Defensive Pass Interference, 26 yards, enforced at DET 49 - No Play. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +3.11]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Minnesota Vikings (Q1 15:00) — 4-J.Hanson kicks 70 yards from DET 35 to MIN -5. 12-P.Harvin for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.3% · EPA +6.74]
Detroit Lions (Q3 13:30) — (13:30) 5-N.Harris punts 41 yards to MIN 23, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 35-M.Sherels for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -12.4% · EPA -6.53]
Detroit Lions (Q3 4:30) — (4:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-M.Leshoure right tackle to MIN 31 for 14 yards (33-J.Sanford). FUMBLES (33-J.Sanford), RECOVERED by MIN-33-J.Sanford at MIN 29. 33-J.Sanford to MIN 29 for no gain (16-T. [WPA -6.6% · EPA -4.23]
Minnesota Vikings (Q4 13:19) — (13:19) 3-B.Walsh 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe. [WPA -3.9% · EPA -4.05]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 15:00 · DET 35 · Score 6-0
4-J.Hanson kicks 70 yards from DET 35 to MIN -5. 12-P.Harvin for 105 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 14:48 · DET 2 · Score 7-0
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 13:10 · MIN 22 · Score 7-3
(13:10) 4-J.Hanson 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 1:21 · DET 31 · Score 10-3
(1:21) 3-B.Walsh 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 8:14 · DET 9 · Score 13-3
(8:14) 3-B.Walsh 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 1:50 · MIN 13 · Score 13-6
(1:50) 4-J.Hanson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 13:30 · MIN 64 · Score 19-6
(13:30) 5-N.Harris punts 41 yards to MIN 23, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 35-M.Sherels for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 13:09 · DET 2 · Score 20-6
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 2:58 · MIN 1 · Score 20-12
(2:58) (No Huddle) 9-M.Stafford up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 2:56 · MIN 2 · Score 20-13
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Matthew Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions on 2012-09-30?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 20-13 in Week 4, 2012.

What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?

Q1: Minnesota Vikings 10, Detroit Lions 3; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 3, Detroit Lions 3; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 7, Detroit Lions 0; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 0, Detroit Lions 7; Final: Minnesota Vikings 20, Detroit Lions 13.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?

Minnesota Vikings touchdown — P. Harvin (Q1 15:00) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Sherels (Q3 13:30) Detroit Lions touchdown — M. Stafford (Q4 2:58) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q1 13:10, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q1 1:21, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q2 8:14, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q2 1:50, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 50.0% completion, -4.0% CPOE, +0.12 EPA per dropback, +7.44 total passing EPA. C. Ponder (Minnesota Vikings), 51.6% completion, -7.1% CPOE, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -3.25 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.44 total EPA on Passing plays. across 60 snaps. Their top snap (+3.47 EPA): (14:48) 71-R.Reiff reported in as eligible. 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete deep middle to 81-C.Johnson (20-C.Cook). PENALTY on MIN-33-J.Sanford, Defensive Pass Interference, 56 yards.

Was Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Minnesota Vikings won 20-13 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 2-1 Now 3-1 W

Detroit Lions

Entered 1-2 Now 1-3 L

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions: 2012 Week 4 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

Top fantasy performers · Lions

Quick answer

Game summary